The Rose City Yarn Crawl, an awesome knitting event in Portland, Oregon

It takes place in Portland, Oregon (North Western part of USA). Each year in March, for a few days, takes place the “Rose City Yarn Crawl“.

Usually organised by knitters, this event is specific because it was created by local yarn stores. We don’t talk here about the big chains stores and supermarket where you can buy yarn, but about little (or not so little), locally owned store, who sells specific yarn, created usually by local artist. (dyer, spinner, sheeps !) 🙂

If you compare the size of Portland to a French city, it will be like LYON. Knitting in France is popular, but definitely not as much as in Portland. It is really impressive how many yarn store you can find in Portland (I love it!), but also how many knitters, dyers and spinners too (I love it even more !) 🙂 and this is why I’ve spent some time around here, Learning hoping to practice this even more once back in France.

This year, 15 shops were part of the Yarncrawl ! (I am not quite sure you can find as much stores in Paris, even if you count the big chains like Phildar)

So what is the Yarncrawl about ?

– Several weeks before the event, a “mystery knit along” project is launched, and every week some clues are given to knitters… 2 different projects can be made, knitting and crochet. The goal, of course, is to be done by the beginning of the Yarncrawl, and wear it when visiting the shops ! 🙂

I’m still having a hard time to follow patterns (especially in English), so I didn’t dare trying, but it was really lovely to see all my knitter friends working on theirs, comparing color choices, and helping each other too ! 🙂

And so, what about the Yarncrawl, what is it? Why ?

For 4 entire days (yes, 4!!!!) :

– Each store had created a specific pattern (sometimes 2, for knitting and crochet) and give a 10% discount on the yarn they used for it.

– Everytime you purchase in these stores, you get the patterns that store for free

Everything in front of that store was yarnbombed and I loved it!, I also get to see a cute customized spinning Wheel 🙂

–

Midnite Oils had a trunk show there. It’s a family business that sells hand made and natural creams, soap and oils for body and hands, and they also had this specific thing for spinners…. quite interesting ! 🙂

When we get out of this shop, we were exhausted! Yarngasm, or yarn overdose, I don’t know, but it gets us getting a bit crazy… Mary felt great about it ! 🙂

Peregrine was in extasis with her last purchase 🙂

And then, one think leading to another, Jaski had to show us her socks, knitted by herself (of course !) 🙂

My pictures are blurry because I was too happy to see that baby, and so I was shaking 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

So here is my filled passport, and with no hesitation I can say that this was an AWESOME event ! (that is almostworth flying from France for) Let’s cross my fingers so that I can winn one of the big prizes! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

As for the things I bought during this event, I’ll probably be able to tell you all about it on the blog for the next month, because I do think I have plenty of yarn to knit for at least…. a year ! 😉

But please, if you have any good excuse allowing me to buy more yarn, feel free to share that on a comment below 🙂